A New School from the Students’ Perspective A Post Occupancy Evaluation through the Eyes of

Students

CEFPI World Congress – San Antonio

September 2012 Tammie Yeadon, Charleston County School District

Andrea McLean, Heery International

Campus Overview

Redevelopment of Bonds Wilson Campus for 3 district-wide magnet schools

• Academic Magnet High School (AMHS) – National Ranking: 7th (2008 Newsweek cover story)

– Named Gold Medal School (US News & World Report 2012)

• School of the Arts High School (SOA) – Named Gold Medal School (US News & World Report 2012)

• School of the Arts Middle School

• Added a District-wide Hearing Impaired Program

Campus Overview

• Budget: – $97,950,319

• Student Capacity & Size: – 1,825 students

– Approx 330,716 sq ft on 42.5 acres

• Schedule: – Campus opened in 3 phases:

• SOA – 01/10

• PAC – 04/10

• AMHS – 08/10

Aerial View of Campus

Campus Layout

Building Legend

School Overview

SOA

• Admission based on competitive audition: – Creative writing

– Dance

– Instrumental band

– Piano

– String orchestra

– Theater arts

– Visual arts

– Vocal music

AMHS • Admission based on:

– MS grades – Test scores – Teacher recommendations – Written essay

• SAT scores second best in state since 1998

• Graduates must: – Complete original thesis – Fulfill 90 hours of service – Complete 4 AP courses – Complete 1 year with mentor &

teacher advisor for graduate level research project

Vision & Philosophy

• Part of City’s historic neighborhood transformation plan to sustainable community

• Equity in academic & social needs

• Fusion of art & science curriculum

• Designed to LEED silver standards

• Help promote economic equity

• One shared campus supports 3 schools, saving operations money

Design Elements Addressed

• Overall campus:

– Sustainability

– School communities

– Safety & security

– Complexity

– Shared campus

– Technology

– MS & HS interface

– Community interface

Post Occupancy Evaluation Topics

• Campus & building layout

• Interior spaces:

– Hallways

– Classrooms

– Shared & in between spaces

– Admin areas

• Appearance & aesthetics

• FF&E

• Learning in the spaces

Campus & Building Lay Out

• What we learned: – Students love to

congregate for both social and study

– Lounge areas & outdoor space is important

– Variety of spaces & different size spaces are great

– Like the daylight (except when using Smartboard)

– Amenities are both noted and appreciated

REVIEW NOTE: Main video will be shown here

General Campus & Building Lay Out

Interior Spaces

• What we learned: – Any place on campus is a

learning space – students loved this aspect

– Some areas are reserved for students that earn right to access them

– Outdoor space is just as popular as indoor space

– Lounge space is important

– Most prefer intimacy of 600 seat theater over larger theater space

REVIEW NOTE: Interior Spaces video will be shown here

Student Lounge Space

Outdoor Space

Appearance & Aesthetics

• What we learned:

– Love the classrooms but windows, blinds and Smartboards compete with one another

REVIEW NOTE: short video shown here

Outdoor Courtyard

Cafeteria & Lounge Space

Lecture Hall

Art Studio

Science Classroom

Library

Rose Maree Myers Theater

FF&E

• CCSD developed strategic sourcing plan for FF&E for all capital projects

• Developed standards to update FF&E

• FF&E reflects school curriculum & educational models

REVIEW NOTE: FF&E video will be shown here

Strategic Sourcing

Best Practice sharing

Spec

Create partnership

with Suppliers

Access to new

Suppliers Cost Savings

Increase Quality

Standardize Pricing

FF&E Goals

• Establish FF&E standards for all school levels

– FF&E must support learning & teaching climate & classroom activities

– Incorporate new trends as they develop

– Apply to existing & new schools

– Provide a variety of furniture, properly equip all areas

– FF&E should improve school climate & impact learning

Strategic Sourcing

• Standardization of FF&E improves quality, equity & safety

• Centralized procurement reduces costs

• Centralized management eliminates inequities

• Strategic sourcing allowed CCSD to buy best product & services at best value

• Decisions were based on research

• Allows for continuous improvement of standards

FF&E

• What we learned:

– Students love the different choices & colors

– Separate desks & chairs work better

– Desks & tables allow room to spread out & work

– Soft seating “like at home” is great

– Ergonomics were both noticed & appreciated

Learning in the Spaces

• Students feel the school spaces support their learning environment

• They love the variety of furniture provided

• Students do recognize what a great school they have

REVIEW NOTE: Short video will be shown here

Summary

• “The Center of Arts and Academics epitomizes what is possible when schools, community members, local government leaders, and design and construction professions collaborate in a shared vision. Not only do the students have facilities suited to their unique interests, but the CAA campus is a point of pride for everyone in Charleston County.” – William Lewis, CCDS

Chief Operating Officer for Capital Programs

• The students couldn’t agree more!